Moreton Bay Regional: Hiking Trails, Museums and Art

Moreton Bay lies north of Brisbane. The region combines whale watching, island stays, hinterland retreats, beaches, national parks, culinary experiences and family-friendly adventures. When planning your trip, you can focus on outdoor activities, culture or food: trails, museums, art offerings and on-the-water experiences offer different ways to do so. If you’re looking for a hotel base, first consider which of these interests you want to shape your days.

Hiking Trails and Outdoor Activities

Moreton Bay has numerous recreational trails for bushwalking, mountain biking, cycling and horse riding. The activities available vary by route. The Bicentennial Trails in the Bribie Island Recreation Area are suitable for hiking, as is the Caboolture to Wamuran Rail Trail, which is also suitable for walking and cycling.

The Ferny Grove to Samford Rail Trail is ideal for mountain biking, cycling, horse riding and walking. It is 11 kilometres one way and ends in Samford Village. Its length and destination give you a concrete reference point when choosing a route. The walking trail at Jollys Lookout in D'Aguilar National Park is open to walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. The selection thus ranges from trails with specified activities to a route for which a length and endpoint are also provided.

Waterways and Whale Watching

At Pumicestone Passage, the Bribie Island National Park and Recreation Area has popular spots for boating and fishing. Those interested in the coastal landscape can also visit the nearby Moreton Bay Marine Park. It extends beyond the region and includes offshore reefs, islands, wetlands of international importance, seagrass meadows and sandy beaches.

Another whale-watching option is Brisbane Whale Watching aboard the “Eye-Spy”: the operator offers encounters with whales in Moreton Bay near Brisbane. Boating experiences at Pumicestone Passage and whale watching are different options for days when you want to focus on the water.

Museums and Art

The Bribie Island Seaside Museum is dedicated to the history of Bribie Island and tells the story of its significant role during the Second World War. Immersive and interactive exhibitions complement events and workshops. In addition to historical stories, the museum offers a variety of ways to explore them.

The Redcliffe Museum focuses on the people, places, significant moments and stories that have shaped the historic coastal town of Redcliffe. This includes First Nations stories about language and culture. The museum combines a look at the town’s history with insights into First Nations languages and culture.

The Redcliffe Art Gallery displays works by local, emerging and established Australian artists across four exhibition spaces. Artist-led workshops are regularly held in the studio. Drop-in or booked tours can complement your visit to the exhibitions.

The Caboolture Regional Art Gallery also has its own focus: its exhibition program presents significant Australian and international artists. The gallery also offers artist talks, workshops, tours and family-friendly activities throughout the year. You can plan your visit around exhibitions, talks and hands-on activities.

Culinary Experiences and Getting There

At Basilea Farm, the visitor experience includes hands-on learning, tastings of fresh farm produce and a culinary demonstration. The farm showcases culinary herbs, premium leafy greens and edible flowers. The experience is therefore suited to travellers who want to learn about local produce and how to use it, alongside excursions and cultural activities.

Moreton Bay is served by major highways. The region is also accessible from Brisbane Airport by public transport, including buses and trains. When choosing a place to stay, you can organise your travel plans according to which of the activities described are most important to you and factor the available transport options into your planning.

Discover more destinations: Stony Creek, Whiteside, Gladstone Regional, Noosa Shire, Cassowary Coast Regional, Southern Downs Regional, Banana Shire, North Burnett Regional.

For the broader travel overview: Queensland.